Hong Kong’s Cathay withdraws three pilot cadets from US training program after serious errors

Chris Kempis, head of flight operations at Cathay Pacific, said while they recognise that mistakes will happen and give students the opportunity to learn and improve, failure to meet basic requirements will not be tolerated.

“A fair and open reporting culture is at the core of our values. Aligning with this culture is fundamental for a pilot at Cathay Pacific,” he said.

“However, we have a zero-tolerance approach to non-compliance with aviation accident reporting requirements. We are committed to providing comprehensive training and ensuring our future pilots are well equipped to ensure the highest levels of safety and professionalism.”

The airline said solo flights at the center, which had been suspended during the investigation, had now resumed.

Jay Meade, AeroGuard’s vice president and director of training, told Cathay cadets in an email earlier this month that the pilots involved in the incidents had decided to continue their missions, but they should have spoken to their on-duty flight instructor first.

The cadets had therefore “not met expectations in terms of training, instruction and leadership with regard to the application of appropriate flight decisions,” he said.

Cathay promised to strengthen the reporting culture among its cadets.

“In the future, we will further strengthen our fair and open reporting culture and appropriate communication process for reporting aircraft accidents through additional training among all Cathay Pacific pilot cadets,” it said.

The airline reiterated that it has an “extremely rigorous” recruitment and assessment process for its cadets.

Accordingly, less than eight percent of applicants were accepted into the cadet program and subsequently completed the corresponding training and examination to become second officers.

“All qualified pilot cadets, upon completion of the initial 60-week course, are required to complete further induction training in order to join the company and be certified as a second officer on any of Cathay Pacific’s aircraft,” the airline said.

The company added that the training includes further assessments before they can serve as second officers under supervision.

“Cathay Group’s reconstruction and training plan remains on track,” it said.